The potential to add an entire new neighborhood within striking distance of The BeltLine lies in plain sight.
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At the Southern end of Boulevard, about a mile past The BeltLine sits the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary. The stunning building is surrounded by over 150 sprawling acres of mainly nothingness.
If the time were ever to come where the federal government was ready to offload the site, we would be presented with the rare opportunity to create a new neighborhood in the middle of the city.
Atlanta Penitentiary Site
250 acres of infill development weaved into the existing fabric of Southeast Atlanta connecting the neighborhoods of Chosewood Park, Benteen Park, Lakewood Heights, and Thomasville Heights:
- 3000+/- homes of varying sizes and styles from Mid-Rise apartments, condos, cottages, single family homes, townhomes, duplexes and more.
- Ample parks and greenspace with trails connecting all parts of the neighborhood
- No front-entry garages in the residential districts. All homes face greenspace or have full frontage porches when fronting streets. All garage access via rear alleys.
- Village district inspired by the canals of and central plaza area Utrecht.
- Adaptive reuse of the existing prison building.
- Transit stop on a theoretical Southeast transit line adjacent to the existing rail line.
- Connections to the future Chosewood Park Trail offering direct BeltLine access.
- Retail focus near the village district with residential over plus small-scale retail scattered throughout the neighborhood.
- Large central lawn with retail kiosks flanking the edges.
NOTE: I do not own, control, have actual say, etc over any of the proposed redevelopment parcels. This is just an idea and just a sketch.
Inspirations:
Downtown Utrecht: Canal-lined beauty and plaza in Netherlands
NoMa: Infill rail-oriented neighborhood in DC
The Wharf: Large-scale development in DC
Wendell Falls: Large planned unit development outside of Raleigh
Muller: Former installation in Austin
Baldwin Park: Former installation in Orlando
Utrecht Leidsche Rijn: Rail station oriented infill in Netherlands
Stapleton: Former airport in Denver, CO.
As Atlanta increasingly realizes the need to grow up, not out; infill in strategic, mobility-rich locations becomes more important. This site offers the opportunity to create a true 15-minute neighborhood in the heart of the City.
Related Reading
Fixing our Bill Kennedy Way Problem
Choseline Idea: InPhil Designs – ChoseLine
Quick Wins: Chosewood Park BeltLine Access
All Atlanta Ideas: Atlanta
All Articles: The Urban Connector
All InPhil Designs: InPhil Designs
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Phil Veasley, PE, CNU-A, The Urban Connector, is a Professional Engineer with Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates focused on creating safer, more vibrant cities through strategic multimodal infrastructure design. With expertise spanning traffic analysis, hand sketching, conceptual design, and full construction documentation, he thrives on transforming roads into great streets where people of all ages and abilities can flourish. Based in Atlanta, Phil is a passionate advocate for walkable, dense, and equitable neighborhoods. Outside of work, his passion is exploring urban life through sketching infill ideas and navigating cities primarily by bike or foot. His on-the-ground perspective informs his professional work, helping him design transportation systems that are not only functional but also people-centered and inspiring. Phil brings both technical depth and a city lover’s enthusiasm to every project, drawing on the belief that infrastructure and urban form must go hand in hand to support vibrant, inclusive communities where everyone has access to opportunity and quality of life.
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Phil Veasley 